There’s good news in the Federal Budget for Inverell and surrounding regions, Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams said.
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Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison’s 2018 budget can turn around the situation noted in 2013 when the Coalition government was voted in and the government was borrowing $55 billion a year.
“Not millions, but billions,” Senator Williams said.
“To put it in simple terms, one million seconds equates to eleven and a half days. One billion seconds is 31.7 years – a stark difference. through good economic management and an improving economy the Budget is forecast to gradually return to surplus from 2019-2020 and is forecast to be $16.6 billion in 2021-22. This is good news not just for the people of Inverell, but for all Australians.”
As a farmer, Senator Williams is looking forward to $224 million in new funding for agriculture, fisheries and forestry to drive continued growth and competitiveness.
“That includes $121.6 million investment in the biosecurity system to better manage future risks to maintain our favourable pest and disease status and support our agricultural trade push,” he said.
Senator Williams points to the $6.3 million extension of the initiative to improve grower access to minor use chemicals; $6.6 million for the Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline; an extension for a further 12 months of the instant asset write-off for those with a turnover of up to $10 million where they can write off assets costing less than $20,000.
Another issue of interest to Senator Williams is ensuring that the age are getting proper care. “We can never spend enough on looking after our elderly – the budget provides better access to aged care services through an additional 14,500 high level home care packages, 13,500 residential places and a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission,” he said.
On the other end of the spectrum, families will be better off when the new child care system comes into place in July.
Budget brings more doctors to the bush
Doctors will now be able to complete their full training program, from start to finish at regional university campuses in NSW and Victoria for the first time, representing a key win for the Nationals over the health fraternity.
Senator Williams believes that the $95 million investment in the Murray Darling Medical School is a “great start” to attracting more doctors to the bush.
“The Murray Darling Medical School network is a fantastic initiative involving universities at Wagga, Dubbo,” said Senator Williams.
“Orange and several in Victoria and it has been shown that those who train in a regional area are more likely to practice in a regional area.”
Senator Williams believes that we have been short of medical specialists, dentists, nurses and allied professionals “for too long”.
The $550 million strategy over a 10-year period will mean as many as 3,000 doctors, 3,000 nurses and hundreds of allied health professionals will be serving rural and regional Australia in the years to come.
“There will be targeted training and retention initiatives so doctors go where they are needed most.”
